Air bag module with locking member for locking the position of a vent member

ABSTRACT

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( 10 ) includes an inflatable occupant protection device ( 12 ) and a support member ( 40 ) having a vent opening ( 50 ) through which inflation fluid may flow. The apparatus ( 10 ) also includes a mechanism ( 58 ) for controlling a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening ( 50 ). Inflation fluid pressure within the inflatable occupant protection device ( 12 ) tends to move the mechanism ( 58 ) for increasing a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening ( 50 ). The mechanism ( 58 ) is responsive to inflation of the inflatable occupant protection device ( 12 ) beyond a predetermined distance for restricting the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening ( 50 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) further includes a locking member ( 96 ) for blocking the mechanism ( 58 ) from increasing the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening ( 50 ) after the inflatable occupant protection device ( 12 ) has inflated beyond the predetermined distance.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending patentapplication Ser. No. 10/244,933, filed Sep. 16, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No.7,083,191.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protectionapparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an air bagmodule having a vent member that is moved during inflation of an air bagand a locking member for locking the position of the vent member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide air bag modules with vent openings through whichinflation fluid may be discharged. When an occupant of a vehicle ispositioned too close to the air bag module and is contacted by aninflating air bag, the vent openings enable some inflation fluid to bedischarged from the air bag to atmosphere. The discharge of inflationfluid through the vent openings helps reduce the contact force betweenthe inflating air bag and the occupant.

It is also known to associate a vent door with each vent opening of anair bag module. A tether connects the vent door to a portion of the airbag. When the air bag inflates to a predetermined location, the tetherpulls the vent door to block a flow of inflation fluid through the ventopening. U.S. patent application Publication No. 2004/0051285 A1, whichis assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses an airbag module having a vent door that is closed by a tether.

The interaction of the occupant and the air bag may result in a suddenincrease in the inflation fluid pressure within the air bag. Theincreased inflation fluid pressure tends to force the vent door open.When the vent door opens, the flow of inflation fluid from the air bagthrough the vent opening increases. If not impeded, the increased flowof inflation fluid through the vent opening may result in the pressurewithin the air bag becoming lower than desired for the air bag torestrain the occupant.

An inflatable vehicle occupant protection apparatus that permits thecontact force between the inflating air bag and an occupant to bereduced without unduly lowering the pressure within the air bag isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection apparatuscomprising an inflatable occupant protection device and a supportmember. The support member has a vent opening through which inflationfluid may flow. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus also comprisesa mechanism for controlling a flow of inflation fluid through the ventopening. Inflation fluid pressure within the inflatable occupantprotection device tends to move the mechanism for increasing a flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening. The mechanism is responsive toinflation of the inflatable occupant protection device beyond apredetermined distance for restricting the flow of inflation fluidthrough the vent opening. The vehicle occupant protection apparatusfurther comprises a locking member for blocking the mechanism fromincreasing the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening afterthe inflatable occupant protection device has inflated beyond thepredetermined distance.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention relates to avehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising an inflatable occupantprotection device and a support member. The support member has a ventopening through which inflation fluid may flow. The vehicle occupantprotection apparatus also comprises means for controlling a flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening for (i) reducing a force thatis applied by the inflatable occupant protection device to an occupantprior to the inflatable occupant protection device inflating to apredetermined distance and (ii) helping to maintain pressure within theinflatable occupant protection device after the inflatable occupantprotection device has inflated beyond the predetermined distance.Inflation fluid pressure within the inflatable occupant protectiondevice tends to move the means for controlling for increasing a flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention relates toa vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising an inflatableoccupant protection device and a support member. The support member hasa vent opening through which inflation fluid may flow. The vehicleoccupant protection apparatus also comprises a vent member that ismovable relative to the support member from an open position toward aclosed position for restricting fluid flow through the vent opening. Amechanism is responsive to inflation of the inflatable occupantprotection device beyond a predetermined distance for moving the ventmember away from the open position and toward the closed position. Thevehicle occupant protection apparatus further comprises a locking memberfor locking the vent member against movement toward the open positionafter the vent member has been moved away from the open position andtoward the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionrelates upon reading the following description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vehicle occupant protection apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention and with a ventmember in a closed position prior to actuation of an inflator;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the vehicle occupant protection apparatusof FIG. 1 after actuation of the inflator and with the vent member in anopen position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the vehicle occupant protection apparatusof FIG. 1 after actuation of the inflator and with the vent member movedback to the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a locking member of the vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is top view of a first alternative locking member;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a vehicle occupant protection apparatusconstructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention and with a vent member in a closed position prior to actuationof an inflator;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of FIG. 6 after actuation of the inflator and withthe vent member in an open position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of FIG. 6 after actuation of the inflator and withthe vent member moved back to the closed position;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a second alternative locking member;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a third alternative locking member;

FIG. 11 illustrates a fourth alternative locking member;

FIG. 12 illustrates a fifth alternative locking member;

FIG. 13 illustrates a sixth alternative locking member;

FIG. 14 illustrates a seventh alternative locking member;

FIG. 15 illustrates an eighth alternative locking member;

FIG. 16 illustrates a ninth alternative locking member;

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a tenth alternative locking member;

FIGS. 18A-E illustrate an eleventh alternative locking member;

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate a twelfth alternative locking member;

FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate a thirteenth alternative locking member;

FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a fourteenth alternative locking member;and

FIGS. 22A-C illustrate a fifteenth alternative locking member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vehicle occupant protection apparatus 10constructed in accordance with the present invention. The vehicleoccupant protection apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is an air bag module. The airbag module 10 includes an inflatable occupant protection device in theform of an air bag 12. As an alternative to an air bag, the inflatableoccupant protection device may be, for example, an inflatable seat belt,an inflatable knee bolster, an inflatable head liner, an inflatable sidecurtain, or a knee bolster operated by one or more inflatable air bags.

The air bag 12 is preferably made from a flexible fabric material, suchas woven nylon. The air bag 12 can alternatively be made from anon-woven material, such as plastic film. The air bag 12 has a deflatedand stored condition in which the air bag is packed and stored withinthe air bag module 10, as shown in FIG. 1. In response to receivinginflation fluid, the air bag 12 inflates from the deflated and storedcondition to an inflated condition, shown in FIG. 3.

The air bag 12 includes an outer panel 18 and side panels 20 thatcollectively define an inflatable volume 22 (FIG. 3) of the air bag.Ends of the side panels 20 opposite the outer panel 18 define a mouthportion 24 of the air bag. Inflation fluid flows through the mouthportion 24 of the air bag 12 and into the inflatable volume 22 forinflating the air bag from the deflated and stored condition to theinflated condition.

The air bag module 10 of FIG. 1 is designed for a driver sideapplication. The air bag module 10 is sized and shaped to be mounted ona hub (not shown) of a vehicle steering wheel (not shown). The presentinvention also is applicable to air bags that are used in other vehiclelocations, such as, for example, a passenger side air bag as isdescribed below with reference to FIG. 6, or any other air bag at anylocation.

The air bag module 10 includes an inflator 30 that is actuatable forproviding inflation fluid. Any type of known inflator may be used withthe air bag module 10 of the present invention. The inflator 30illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 includes a circular base portion 32 and acylindrical housing portion 34. Flow passages 36 extend through thehousing portion 34 of the inflator 30. When the inflator 30 is actuated,inflation fluid flows out of the inflator through the flow passages 36.

The air bag module 10 also includes a reaction plate 40. When the airbag module 10 is installed in a vehicle, the reaction plate 40 is fixedto the vehicle. The reaction plate 40 receives the reaction forcesassociated with actuation of the inflator 30 and inflation of the airbag 12.

The reaction plate 40 is formed from a single piece of material, such asmetal or high strength plastic. The reaction plate 40 is generallydisk-shaped and includes a recessed central portion 42. An annularportion 44 of the reaction plate 40 surrounds the central portion 42.The annular portion 44 extends radially relative to axis A. An edge ofthe annular portion 44 opposite the central portion 42 includes a flange46. The flange 46 extends axially parallel to axis A and in the samedirection relative to the annular portion 44 as the central portion 42of the reaction plate 40.

A vent opening 50 (FIG. 2) extends through the annular portion 44 of thereaction plate 40. The vent opening 50 enables inflation fluid flowthrough the reaction plate 40. The reaction plate 40 may have any numberof vent openings 50. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the reaction plate 40 ashaving only a single vent opening 50. In the air bag module 10illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the vent opening 50 is located in the annularportion 44 at a location below, as viewed in FIGS. 1-3, the centralportion 42 of the reaction plate 40. The vent opening 50 is generallyrectangular, although the vent opening may have any shape.

The reaction plate 40 supports the inflator 30 and the air bag 12. Thebase portion 32 of the inflator 30 is fixed to the central portion 42 ofthe reaction plate 40 in a known manner, such as by fasteners (notshown). An air bag retainer 54 fixes the mouth portion 24 of the air bag12 to the reaction plate 40. In the air bag module 10 illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, the air bag retainer 54 attaches the mouth portion 24 of theair bag 12 to the annular portion 44 of the reaction plate 40 at alocation radially outside, relative to axis A, the vent opening 50.Alternatively, the air bag retainer 54 may attach the mouth portion 24of the air bag 12 at a location radially inside, relative to axis A, thevent opening 50. When the mouth portion 24 is attached at a locationradially inside the vent opening 50, a side panel 20 of the air bag 12includes at least one flow opening that aligns with the vent opening 50for enabling inflation fluid flow out of the air bag and through thevent opening.

A vent member 58 is associated with the vent opening 50. The vent member58 is a generally rectangular plate that is sized for overlying the ventopening 50. The vent member 58 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 includes anattaching portion 60 and a closing portion 62. A hinge area 64 separatesthe attaching portion 60 and the closing portion 62 and enables theclosing portion to move relative to the attaching portion. The hingearea 64 may be a separate piece of the same or a different material.Alternatively, the hinge area 64 may be integrated either with theclosing portion 60 of the vent member 58 or the annular portion 44 ofthe reaction plate 40.

The attaching portion 60 of the vent member 58 is fixed to the annularportion 44 of the reaction plate 40 in a location radially outward of,relative to axis A, and adjacent to the vent opening 50. When theattaching portion 60 of the vent member 58 is attached to the reactionplate 40, the closing portion 62 of the vent member 58 overlies the ventopening 50.

A tether 68 connects the air bag 12 and the closing portion 62 of thevent member 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the tether 68 is anarrow, elongate piece of woven nylon material. The tether 68 has afirst end portion 70 that is attached by any means, such as sewing orgluing, to the outer panel 18 of the air bag 12 and an opposite secondend portion 72 that is fixed to the closing portion 62 of the ventmember 58. The tether 68 is pulled taut during inflation of the air bag12 and, when pulled taut, transfers a force from the air bag to the ventmember 58, as will be described below.

The air bag module 10 also includes a cover 14 (FIG. 1). For simplicityof the illustrations, the cover 14 of the air bag module 10 is shown inFIG. 1 and is omitted from FIGS. 2 and 3. The cover 14 includes a frontpanel 78 and side panels 80. The front panel 78 of the cover 14 includesa tear seam 82 that ruptures to enable deployment of the air bag 12 fromthe air bag module 10. The side panels 80 of the cover 14 extendperpendicularly from the front panel 78. An end portion 84 of each sidepanel 80 is located radially outwardly of the flange 46 of the reactionplate 40 and is fixed to the reaction plate in a known manner, such aswith fasteners (not shown).

A chamber 90 (FIG. 1) is defined in the air bag module 10 between thecover 14 and the reaction plate 40. When the air bag module 10 is in anon-actuated condition, as shown in FIG. 1, the deflated air bag 12 isfolded and stored in the chamber 90. When stored in the chamber 90, theouter panel 18 of the air bag 12 is adjacent the front panel 78 of thecover 14. Also when the air bag module 10 is in the non-actuatedcondition, there is a significant amount of slack in the tether 68. Theslack is present because the length of the tether 68 is greater than thedistance between the portion of the outer panel 18 of the air bag 12 towhich the first end portion 70 of the tether is fixed and the ventmember 58 to which the second end portion 72 of the tether is attached.

When the air bag module 10 is in the non-actuated condition, as is shownin FIG. 1, the vent member 58 is in a closed position closing the ventopening 50. When the vent member 58 is in the closed position, debrisand other foreign matter are prevented from entering the chamber 90 ofthe air bag module 10 through the vent opening 50. In a preferredembodiment of the present invention, the vent member 58 of the air bagmodule 10 is in the closed position prior to actuation of the inflator30.

When the inflator 30 of the air bag module 10 is actuated, inflationfluid exits the inflator 30 and begins to pressurize the air bag 12. Inresponse to receiving inflation fluid from the inflator 30, the air bag12 expands within the chamber 90 and begins to press against the frontpanel 78 of the cover 14. As additional inflation fluid enters the airbag 12, the pressure within the air bag 12 increases. The pressurewithin the chamber 90 also acts on the vent member 58. Since an exteriorsurface of the vent member 58 is subject to atmospheric pressure, apressure differential arises across the closing portion 62 of the ventmember 58. When the pressure differential reaches a predetermined level,the vent member 58 bends at its hinge 64 and the closing portion 62moves away from the vent opening 50. Thus, in response to the pressuredifferential, the vent member 58 moves from the closed position, shownin FIG. 1, to the open position, shown in FIG. 2. When the vent member58 is in the open position, some inflation fluid may flow out of the airbag 12 through the vent opening 50.

At the point of air bag deployment illustrated in FIG. 2, the output ofinflation fluid from the inflator 30 is greater than the amount ofinflation fluid that may exit the air bag 12 through the vent opening50. As a result, the pressure within the air bag 12 continues toincrease after the vent member 58 is moved to the open position. Theincreasing pressure in the air bag 12 results in an increasing pressurethat is applied to the front panel 78 of the cover 14. The increasingpressure that is applied to the front panel 78 of the cover 14eventually ruptures the tear seam 82 of the front panel of the cover andenables the air bag 12 to expand outwardly of the chamber 90 of the airbag module 10.

As the air bag 12 inflates, the outer panel 18 of the air bag 12 movesaway from the reaction plate 40 and away from the vent member 58. If theouter panel 18 moves away from the reaction plate 40 by less than apredetermined distance, slack remains in the tether 68. The outer panel18 of the air bag 12 may move away from the reaction plate 40 by lessthan the predetermined distance, for example, if the air bag wheninflating engages a vehicle occupant who is positioned relatively closeto the reaction plate 40. The engagement of the air bag 12 with therelatively close vehicle occupant stops or limits the movement of theouter panel 18 of the air bag away from the reaction plate 40 and awayfrom the vent member 58.

When slack remains in the tether 68 as a result of the outer panel 18moving away from the reaction plate 40 by less than the predetermineddistance, the tether 68 does not pull on the vent member 58 and the ventmember remains in the open position, spaced apart from the vent opening50. The vent opening 50 remains open, enabling the flow of inflationfluid away from the air bag 12 through the vent opening 50 and toatmosphere. This venting of the air bag 12 can reduce the force andpressure with which the air bag inflates.

When the outer panel 18 of the air bag 12 moves away from the reactionplate 40 by more than the predetermined distance, the slack iscompletely removed from the tether 68 and the tether is tensioned. Thetensioned tether 68 pulls the vent member 58 from the open position,shown in FIG. 2, back toward the closed position in which the ventmember blocks the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening 50.When the vent member 58 is moved back into the closed position duringinflation of the air bag 12, as is shown in FIG. 3, the air bag 12continues to inflate with full force and pressure.

The air bag module 10 also includes a locking member 96. The lockingmember 96 prevents the closing portion 62 of the vent member 58 frommoving toward the open position after the closing portion of the ventmember has been moved from the open position, shown in FIG. 2, towardthe closed position, shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 illustrates a top view ofthe locking member 96. A side view of the locking member 96 can be seenin FIGS. 1-3. The locking member 96 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 acts on thetether 68 to prevent movement of the tether through the locking memberin a direction toward the vent member 58, i.e., leftward, as viewed inFIGS. 1-3.

The locking member 96 includes a guide portion 98 and a lock portion100. Preferably, the guide portion 98 and the lock portion 100 of thelocking member 96 are made from steel. Materials other than steel, suchas, for example, plastic, may be used for forming the locking member 96.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide portion 98 includes a generally planarbase wall 104. The base wall 104 has a generally trapezoidal shape.Holes (not shown) for receiving fasteners, such as rivets, extendthrough the base wall 104 for enabling the guide portion 98 to be fixedto the reaction plate 40. A guide wall 106 curves outwardly of the basewall 104 so that an end 108 of the guide wall opposite the base wallextends over a portion of the base wall. As shown in FIG. 4, two sidewalls 110 extend outwardly of the guide wall 106 in a direction oppositethe base wall 104. The side walls 110 are located on laterally oppositesides of the guide wall 106.

The guide wall 106 and the two side walls 110 define a channel throughwhich the tether 68 extends. The guide wall 106 supports the tether 68during movement of the tether relative to the guide portion 98 of thelocking member 96 and the side walls 110 prevent movement of the tetherlaterally off of the guide wall.

The lock portion 100 is a one-piece structure. The lock portion 100 isformed from a resilient material. When the lock portion 100 and theguide portion 98 are made from the same material, for example, steel,the lock portion 100 is formed with a material thickness that is lessthan that of the guide portion 98 so that the lock portion is generallyresilient and the guide portion is generally rigid.

The lock portion 100 includes a generally planar base wall 116. As shownin FIG. 4, the base wall 116 has a generally rectangular shape. Holes118 for receiving fasteners, such as rivets, extend through the basewall 116 for enabling the lock portion 100 to be fixed to the reactionplate 40. A clamping wall 120 extends outwardly of the base wall 116 atan obtuse angle relative to the base wall. As shown in FIG. 4, an end122 of the clamping wall 120 opposite the base wall 116 includes teeth124. The teeth 124 are adapted to grip the tether 68.

The locking member 96 is fixed to the reaction plate 40 within thechamber 90 of the air bag module 10 and adjacent the vent opening 50.The guide portion 98 of the locking member 96 is located on one side ofthe vent opening 50 and the lock portion 100 of the locking member islocated on an opposite side of the vent opening. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the guide portion 98 of the locking member 96is located adjacent an upper side of the vent opening 50 and the lockportion 100 is located adjacent a lower side of the vent opening. Whenfixed to the reaction plate 40, the lock portion 100 is positioned in alocation relative to the guide portion 98 such that the teeth 124 of theclamping wall 120 of the lock portion are located between the side walls110 and are adjacent to the guide wall 106 of the guide portion.

During assembly of the air bag module 10, the tether 68 is passedthrough the locking member 96 between the guide portion 98 and the lockportion 100. When passing through the locking member 96, the tether 68lies on the guide wall 106 of the guide portion 98 and the teeth 124 ofthe clamping wall 120 of the lock portion 100 engage the tether andpress the tether against the guide wall.

As set forth above, the locking member 96 prevents movement of thetether 68 through the locking member in a direction toward the ventmember 58, i.e., leftward, as viewed in FIGS. 1-3. When a force acts topull the tether 68 through the locking member 96 in a direction towardthe vent member 58, the teeth 124 of the lock portion 100 grip thetether 68. The force thus pulls the clamping wall 120 of the lockportion toward the guide wall 106 of the guide portion 98 to lock thetether between the lock portion and the guide portion. When a force actsto pull the tether 68 through the locking member 96 in a directiontoward the outer panel 18 of the air bag 12, the force causes theclamping wall 120 of the lock portion 100 to bend so that the teeth 124move away from the guide wall 106 of the guide portion 98. As a result,the tether 68 may move through the locking member 96 toward the outerpanel 18 of the air bag 12. Thus, the locking member 96 prevents tether68 travel in a first direction toward the vent member 58 and allowstether travel in a second direction toward the outer panel 18 of the airbag 12.

When the air bag module 10 is unactuated, as illustrated in FIG. 1,slack is present in the tether 68. During assembly of the air bag module10, a predetermined amount of the tether 68 is located between the ventmember 58 and the locking member 96. The remainder of the tether 68 islocated between the locking member 96 and the outer panel 18 of the airbag 12. The predetermined amount of the tether 68 is an amountsufficient for slack to be present between the vent member 58 and thelocking member 96 and, as will described below, is chosen to control thelocation of the open position of the vent member 58.

To aid in providing the predetermined amount of the tether 68 betweenthe vent member 58 and the locking member 96 during assembly, the tether68 may include a tether positioning aid (not shown). The tetherpositioning aid may be a knot that is formed in the tether 68.Alternatively, the tether positioning aid may be markings on the tether68, or a member that is sewn or otherwise fixed to the tether.

When the inflator 30 of the air bag module 10 is actuated, the inflationfluid pressure within the air bag 12 acts on the vent member 58 andmoves the vent member from the closed position, shown in FIG. 1, to theopen position, shown in FIG. 2. When the vent member 58 is in the openposition, the predetermined amount of the tether 68 located between thevent member 58 and the locking member 96 is pulled taut, as shown inFIG. 2. Since the locking member 96 prevents movement of the tether 68toward the vent member 58, the tautness of predetermined amount of thetether 68 prevents further movement of the vent member 58. Thus, thelocking member 96 and the predetermined amount of the tether 68 controlthe open position of the vent member 58 and control the amount of fluidthat may flow out of the chamber 90 through the vent opening 50 when thevent member 58 is in the open position.

When the outer panel 18 of the air bag 12 moves away from the reactionplate 40 by the predetermined distance, the slack is completely removedfrom the tether 68 and the tether is tensioned. Further movement of theouter panel 18 of the air bag 12 away from the reaction plate 40 acts topull the tether 68 through the locking member 96 in the direction of theouter panel, i.e., rightward, as viewed in FIGS. 1-3. The movement ofthe tether 68 pulls the vent member 58 from the open position, shown inFIG. 2, back toward the closed position in which the vent member blocksthe flow of inflation through the vent opening 50.

FIG. 3 illustrated the vent member 58 back in the closed position. Whenthe air bag module 10 of the present invention is actuated for helpingto protect an occupant of a vehicle, the vent member 58 may be at anyposition along a path traveled by the vent member between the open andclosed positions when occupant interaction with the air bag 12 preventsfurther movement of the outer panel 18 of the air bag away from thereaction plate 40. The interaction between the occupant and the air bag12 may result in an increase in pressure within the air bag that tendsto force the vent member 58 away from the reaction plate 40 and backtoward the open position. By preventing the tether 68 from moving towardthe vent member 58, the locking member 96 prevents the movement of thevent member 58 back toward the open position. Thus, the locking member96 blocks movement of the vent member 58 that would increase a flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening 50 and reduce pressure in theair bag 12. As a result, the locking member 96 helps to maintainpressure within the air bag 12.

The locking member 96 prevents the movement of the vent member 58 backtoward the open position regardless of the position of the vent memberalong the path between the open and closed positions at the occurrenceof the interaction between the occupant and the air bag 12. Thus, thelocking member 96 may be referred to as being “infinitely adjustable” asthe locking member prevents movement of the vent member 58 at allpositions of the vent member between the open and closed positions.

FIG. 5 is top view of a first alternative locking member 96 a that maybe used with the air bag module of FIGS. 1-3. Structures of the lockingmember 96 a of FIG. 5 that are the same as or similar to those describedwith reference to the locking member 96 of FIGS. 1-4 are labeled withthe same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1-4 with the addition of thesuffix “a”.

The locking member 96 a of FIG. 5 is identical to the locking member 96of FIGS. 1-4 with the exception that the clamping wall 120 a of the lockportion 100 a of the locking member 96 a of FIG. 5 does not includeteeth 124. Instead, in FIG. 5, the end 122 a of the clamping wall 120 aopposite the base wall 116 a terminates in a flat surface. The lockingmember 96 a of FIG. 5 operates in substantially the same manner as thelocking member 96 of FIGS. 1-4. When a force acts to pull the tetherthrough the locking member 96 a in a direction toward the vent member,the tether engages the flat surface of the end 122 a of the clampingwall 120 a of the lock portion 100 a and pulls the clamping wall towardthe guide wall 106 a of the guide portion 98 a to lock the tether inbetween the lock portion and guide portion. When a force acts to pullthe tether through the locking member 96 a in a direction toward theouter panel of the air bag, the force causes the clamping wall 120 a ofthe locking member 100 a to bend so that the flat surface of the end 122a of the clamping wall 120 a moves away from the guide wall 106 a of theguide portion 98 a. This enables the tether to move through the lockingmember 96 a toward the outer panel of the air bag.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a vehicle occupant protection apparatus130 constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus 130 of FIG. 6 isalso an air bag module. The air bag module 130 of FIG. 6 is a passengerside air bag module.

The air bag module 130 includes an inflatable occupant protection devicein the form of an air bag 132. The air bag 132 is preferably made from aflexible fabric material, such as woven nylon. The air bag 132 has adeflated and stored condition in which the air bag is packed within theair bag module 130. In response to receiving inflation fluid, the airbag 132 inflates from the deflated and stored condition, shown in FIG.6, to an inflated condition (not shown).

The air bag 132 includes an outer panel 136 and side panels 138 thatcollectively define an inflatable volume of the air bag. Ends of theside panels 138 opposite the outer panel 136 define a mouth portion 140of the air bag 132. Inflation fluid flows through the mouth portion 140of the air bag 132 and into the inflatable volume for inflating the airbag from the deflated and stored condition to the inflated condition.The side panels 138 also include flow openings, shown by dashed lines inFIGS. 6-8.

The air bag module 130 includes an inflator 146 that is actuatable forproviding inflation fluid. The inflator 146 includes a circular baseportion 148 and a cylindrical housing portion 150. Flow passages 152extend through the housing portion 150 of the inflator 146. When theinflator 146 is actuated, inflation fluid flows out of the inflator 146through the flow passages 152.

The air bag module 130 also includes a reaction can 158. When the airbag module 130 is installed in a vehicle, the reaction can 158 is fixedrelative to the vehicle. The reaction can 158 receives the reactionforces associated with actuation of the inflator 146 and inflation ofthe air bag 132.

The reaction can 158 is formed from a single piece of material, such asmetal or high strength plastic. The reaction can 158 has a rectangularend wall 160 and four side walls. FIG. 6 illustrates two of the fourside walls at 162. A circular inflator opening 164 extends through theend wall 160 of the reaction can 158. A flange 166, that extendsparallel to axis A, defines the inflator opening 164. The inflatoropening 164 is sized to receive the housing portion 150 of the inflator146. When the inflator 146 is positioned in the inflator opening 164,the base portion 148 of the inflator 146 abuts the flange 166. Theinflator 146 is fixed to the reaction can 158 in a known manner, such asby fasteners (not shown).

The reaction can 158 also includes vent openings 170. The vent openings170 are located in the side walls 162 of the reaction can 158. FIG. 6illustrates two vent openings 170. The vent openings 170 illustrated inFIG. 6 are generally rectangular, although the vent opening may have anyshape.

Each vent opening 170 has an associated vent member 176. The ventmembers 176 are generally rectangular plates that are sized foroverlying the vent openings 170. The vent members 176 illustrated inFIG. 6 includes an attaching portion 178 and a closing portion 180. Ahinge 182 separates the attaching portion 178 and the closing portion180 and enables the closing portion to move relative to the attachingportion.

The attaching portion 178 of each vent member 176 is fixed to thereaction can 158 in a location adjacent to an associated vent opening170. When the attaching portion 178 of each vent member 176 is attachedto the reaction can 158, the closing portion 180 of each vent member 176overlies the vent opening 170.

A tether 188 extends between the air bag 132 and the closing portion 180of each vent member 176. Each tether 188 has a first end portion 190that is sewn to the outer panel 136 of the air bag 132 and an oppositesecond end portion 192 that is fixed to the closing portion 180 of thevent member 176. The tethers 188 are pulled taut during inflation of theair bag 132 as a result of the outer panel 136 of the air bag movingrelative to the reaction can 158 by more than a predetermined distance.When pulled taut, the tethers 188 transfer a force from the air bag tothe vent members 176. The two tethers 188 of FIG. 6 preferably have thesame length. Tethers having different lengths may also be used. When thetethers 188 have different lengths, the vent members 176 close atdifferent times during inflation of the air bag 132.

A bag retainer 198 fixes the mouth portion 140 of the air bag 132relative to the reaction can 158. The bag retainer 198 has a rectangularconfiguration and is sized to be secured to interior surfaces of theside walls 162 of the reaction can 158. As shown in FIG. 6, the bagretainer 198 is fixed to the side walls 162 of the reaction can 158 at alocation adjacent the end wall 160 of the reaction can. The side panels138 of the air bag 132 extends over the vent openings 170. The sidepanels 138 of the air bag 132, at the areas that extend over the ventopenings 170, include holes, illustrated schematically in FIGS. 6-8 withdashed lines, through which inflation fluid may flow.

The air bag module 130 also includes locking members 202. Each tether188 has an associated locking member 202. FIG. 6 illustrates two lockingmembers 202. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrated enlarged views of one of the twolocking members 202 of FIG. 6.

As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the locking member 202 includes a guideportion 206 and a lock portion 208. The guide portion 206 of the lockingmember 202 is formed in one piece with the bag retainer 198. The guideportion 206 of the locking member 202 includes a support arm 210 thatextends away from the bag retainer 198 in a direction parallel to axisA. A guide arm 212 extends away from of an end of the support arm 210opposite the bag retainer 198 and in a direction perpendicular to thesupport arm. The guide portion 206 of the locking member 202 alsoincludes an attachment portion 214. The attachment portion 214 islocated on an end of the support arm 210 adjacent the bag retainer 198and has a semi-circular configuration.

The lock portion 208 of the locking member 202 is an elongated memberhaving opposite first and second ends 218 and 220, respectively. Thefirst end 218 of the lock portion 208 is pivotally attached to theattachment portion 214 of the guide portion 206. The second end 220 ofthe lock portion 208 is angled relative to the remainder of the lockportion. The lock portion 208 has a length measured axially along axis Athat is equal to the distance between the attachment portion 214 and theguide arm 212 of the guide portion 206. When the lock portion 208 ispivotally attached to the guide portion 206, the angled second end 220of the lock portion 208 engages the guide arm 212 of the guide portion206. A spring (not shown) or other biasing member acts between the guideportion 206 and the lock portion 208 of the locking member 202 to biasthe second end 220 of the lock portion into engagement with the guidearm 212 of the guide portion.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, each tether 188 passes through its associatedlocking member 202 when extending between the air bag 132 and the ventmember 176. The tether 188 passes between the angled second end 220 ofthe lock portion 208 and the guide arm 212 of the guide portion 206.

The air bag module 130 also includes a cover 226 (FIG. 6). The cover 226includes a front panel 228 and side panels. FIG. 6 illustrates two ofthe side panels at 230. The front panel 228 of the cover 226 includes atear seam 232 that ruptures to enable deployment of the air bag 132 fromthe air bag module 130. The side panels 230 of the cover 226 extendperpendicularly from the front panel 228 and overlie the side walls 162of the reaction can 158. The side panels 230 of the cover 226 are fixedto the side walls 162 of the reaction can 158 in a known manner, such aswith fasteners (not shown).

The reaction can 158 and the front panel 228 of the cover 226 define achamber 238 in the air bag module 130. When the air bag module 130 is ina non-actuated condition, as shown in FIG. 6, the deflated air bag 132is folded and stored in the chamber 238. When stored in the chamber 238,the outer panel 136 of the air bag 132 is adjacent the front panel 228of the cover 226. Also when the air bag module 130 is in thenon-actuated condition, there is a significant amount of slack in thetethers 188. The slack is present because the length of each tether 188is greater than the distance between the portion of the outer panel 136of the air bag 132 to which the first end portion 190 of the tether isattached and the vent member 176 to which the second end portion 192 ofthe tether is attached.

When the air bag module 130 is in the non-actuated condition, as isshown in FIG. 6, the vent member 176 is in a closed position closing thevent opening 170. When the vent member 176 is in the closed position,debris and other foreign matter are prevented from entering the chamber238 of the air bag module 130 through the vent opening 170. Preferably,the vent member 176 of the air bag module 130 is in the closed positionprior to actuation of the inflator 146.

When the inflator 146 of the air bag module 130 is actuated, inflationfluid exits the inflator 146 and begins to fill the air bag 132. Inresponse to receiving inflation fluid from the inflator 146, the air bag132 expands within the chamber 238 and begins to press against the frontpanel 228 of the cover 226. As additional inflation fluid enters the airbag 132, the pressure within the air bag 132 increases. The pressurewithin the air bag 132 acts on each vent member 176 through the holes inthe side panels 138 of the air bag 132. Since an exterior surface ofeach vent member 176 is subject to atmospheric pressure, a pressuredifferential arises across the closing portion 180 of the vent member176. When the pressure differential reaches a predetermined level, thevent member 176 bends at its hinge 182 and the closing portion 180 movesaway from the vent opening 170. Thus, in response to the pressuredifferential, the vent member 176 moves from the closed position, shownin FIG. 6, to the open position, shown in FIG. 7. When the vent memberis in the open position, inflation fluid may flow out of the chamber 238through the vent opening 170.

Since the output of inflation fluid from the inflator 146 is greaterthan the amount of inflation fluid that may exit the air bag 132 throughthe vent openings 170, the inflation fluid pressure within the air bag132 continues to increase after the vent members 176 are moved to theopen position. The increasing pressure in the air bag 132 results in anincreasing pressure that is applied to the front panel 228 of the cover226. The increasing pressure that is applied to the front panel 228 ofthe cover 226 eventually ruptures the tear seam 232 of the front panelof the cover and enables the air bag 132 to expand outward of thechamber 238 of the air bag module 130.

As the air bag 132 inflates, the outer panel 136 of the air bag 132moves away from the end wall 160 of the reaction can 158 and away fromthe vent members 176. If the outer panel 136 moves away from thereaction can 158 by less than a predetermined distance, slack remains inthe tethers 188. When slack remains in the tethers 188 as a result ofthe outer panel 136 moving away from the reaction can 158 by less thanthe predetermined distance, the tethers 188 do not pull on the ventmembers 176 and the vent members remain in the open position, spacedapart from the vent openings 170. This enables flow of inflation fluidaway from the air bag 132 through the vent openings, as shown withreference to one vent opening 170 in FIG. 7. Such venting of the air bag132 can reduce the force and pressure with which the air bag inflates.

When the outer panel 136 of the air bag 132 moves away from the reactioncan 158 by more than the predetermined amount, the slack is completelyremoved from the tethers 188 and the tethers are tensioned. Thetensioned tethers 188 pull the vent members 176 from the open position,shown in FIG. 7, back toward the closed position in which the ventmembers block the flow of inflation fluid through the vent openings 170.When the vent members 176 are moved back into the closed position duringinflation of the air bag 132, as is shown in FIG. 8, the air bag 132inflates with full force and pressure.

Each of the locking members 202 prevents movement of a tether 188through the locking member in a direction toward the vent member 176.When a force acts to pull the tether 188 through the locking member 202in a direction toward the vent member 176, the second end 220 of thelock portion 208 clamps against the guide arm 212 of the guide portion206 to lock the tether between the lock portion and guide portion. Whena force acts to pull the tether 188 through the locking member 202 in adirection toward the outer panel 136 of the air bag 132, the forcecauses the second end 220 of the lock portion 208 to pivot away from theguide arm 212 of the guide portion 206. As a result, the tether 188 maymove through the locking member 202 toward the outer panel 136 of theair bag 132. Thus, the locking member 202 prevents tether 188 travel isa first direction toward the vent member 176 and allows tether travel ina second direction toward the outer panel 136 of the air bag 132.

During assembly of the air bag module 130, a predetermined amount of thetether 188 is located between each vent member 176 and each lockingmember 202. The remainder of each tether 188 is located between thelocking member 202 and the outer panel 136 of the air bag 132. Thepredetermined amount is an amount sufficient for slack to be presentbetween the vent member 176 and the locking member 202 and is chosen tocontrol the location of the open position of the vent member.

To aid in providing the predetermined amount of the tether 188 betweeneach vent member 176 and each locking member 202 during assembly, thetethers 188 may include a tether positioning aid (not shown). The tetherpositioning aid may be a knot that is formed in the tether 188.Alternatively, the tether positioning aid may be markings on the tether188, or a member that is sewn or otherwise fixed to the tether.

When the inflator 146 of the air bag module 130 is actuated, thepressure within the air bag 132 acts on the vent member 176 and movesthe vent member from the closed position, shown in FIG. 6, to the openposition, shown in FIG. 7. When the vent member 176 is in the openposition, the predetermined amount of the tether 188 located between thevent member 176 and the locking member 202 is pulled taut, as shown inFIG. 7. Since the locking member 202 prevents movement of the tether 188toward the vent member 176, the tautness of predetermined amount of thetether 188 prevents further movement of the vent member 176. Thus, thelocking member 202 and the predetermined amount of the tether 188control the open position of the vent member 176 and control the amountof fluid that may flow out of the chamber 238 through the vent opening170 when the vent member is in the open position.

When the outer panel 136 of the air bag 132 moves away from the reactioncan 158 by the predetermined amount, the slack is completely removedfrom the tether 188 and the tether is tensioned. Further movement of theouter panel 136 of the air bag 132 away from the reaction can 158 actsto pull the tether 188 through the locking member 202 in the directionof the outer panel, i.e., rightward, as viewed in FIGS. 6-8. Themovement of the tether 188 pulls the vent member 176 from the openposition, shown in FIG. 7, back toward the closed position in which thevent member blocks the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening170.

FIG. 8 illustrated the vent member 176 back in the closed position. Whenthe air bag module 130 of the present invention is actuated for helpingto protect an occupant of a vehicle, the vent member 176 may be at anyposition between the open position and the closed position when occupantinteraction with the air bag 132 prevents further movement of the outerpanel 136 of the air bag away from the reaction can 158. The interactionbetween the occupant and the air bag 132 may result in an increase inpressure within the air bag that tends to force the vent members 176away from the reaction can 158 and back toward the open position. Bypreventing the tethers 188 from moving toward the vent members 176, thelocking members 202 prevent the movement of the vent members 176 backtoward the open position. Thus, the locking members 202 block movementof the vent members 176 that would increase a flow of inflation fluidthrough the vent openings 170 and reduce pressure in the air bag 132. Asa result, the locking members 202 maintain pressure within the air bag132.

The locking members 202 prevent the movement of the vent members 176back toward the open position regardless of the position of the ventmembers along the path between the open and closed positions at theoccurrence of the interaction between the occupant and the air bag 132.Thus, the locking members 202 may be referred to as being “infinitelyadjustable” as the locking members prevent movement of the vent members176 toward the open position at all positions of the vent member betweenthe open and closed positions.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a second alternative locking member 250. Thelocking member 250 of FIGS. 9A and 9B may be used with either the airbag module 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8.

The locking member 250 of FIGS. 9A and 9B includes a guide portion 252and a lock portion 254. The guide portion 252 is formed on an interiorsurface 258 of a support member 260. The support member 260 may be areaction plate as shown in FIGS. 1-3 or a reaction can as shown in FIGS.6-8.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the guide portion 252 includes two protrusions 266,each having an aperture 268. The apertures 268 of the two protrusions266 are coaxial with one another and are adapted for receiving a pivotpin 270. The guide portion 252 also includes a U-shaped bracket 272 thatextends outwardly of the interior surface 258. The U-shaped bracket 272includes two arm portions 274 and an end portion 276. The end portion276 of the U-shaped bracket 272 extends generally parallel to the pivotpin 270 when the pivot pin is received in the apertures 268 of theprotrusions 266. The arm portions 274 are generally aligned with theprotrusions 266 so that the end portion 276 of the U-shaped bracket 272is spaced above, as viewed in FIG. 9A, the pivot pin 270 when the pivotpin is received in the apertures 268 of the protrusions 266.

The lock portion 254 of the locking member 250 includes a clamping plate282 having an outer surface 284 and an inner surface 286 (FIG. 9B). Theclamping plate 282 also includes an end 288 having a plurality of teeth290. Two protrusions 292 extend outwardly of the inner surface 286 ofthe clamping plate 282. FIG. 9A illustrates one of the two protrusions292 and FIG. 9B illustrates the other of the two protrusions. The twoprotrusions 292 of the clamping plate 282 are spaced from one another soas to fit between the two protrusions 266 of the guide portion 252. Eachof the protrusions 292 includes an aperture 294 (FIG. 9A) that is sizedfor receiving the pivot pin 270.

The locking member 250 also includes a spiral spring 300. As shown inFIG. 9A, the spiral spring 300 includes a helical central portion 302and opposite first and second end portions 304 and 306, respectively.The helical central portion 302 receives the pivot pin 270 and islocated between the two protrusions 292 of the lock portion 254. Thefirst end portion 304 of the spiral spring 300 engages the inner surface286 of the clamping plate 282 and a second end portion 306 of the spiralspring engages the interior surface 258 of the support member 260. Thespiral spring 300 biases the teeth 290 of the clamping plate 282 of thelock portion 254 against the-end portion 276 of the U-shaped bracket 272of the guide portion 252.

In FIG. 9B, dashed lines illustrate a tether 310 extending through thelocking member 250. The locking member 250 of FIGS. 9A and 9B enablesthe tether 310 to be moved in a direction upward, as viewed in FIG. 9B,through the locking member and prevents movement of the tether in adirection downward, as viewed in FIG. 9B, through the locking member.When a force acts to pull the tether 310 through the locking member 250in a direction downward, as viewed in FIG. 9B, the teeth 290 of theclamping plate 282 grip the tether 310 and prevent movement of thetether between the lock portion 254 and guide portion 252. When a forceacts to pull the tether 310 in a direction upward, as viewed in FIG. 9B,through the locking member 250, the force acts against the bias of thespiral spring 300, moves the clamping plate 282 away from the endportion 276 of the U-shaped bracket 272, and enables the tether 310 tomove upwardly through the locking member.

The locking member 250 of FIGS. 9A and 9B prevents the downward movementof the tether 310 regardless of the position of the tether. Thus, thelocking member 250 of FIGS. 9A and 9B also may be referred to as being“infinitely adjustable” as the locking member is capable of preventingmovement of a vent member toward the open position at all positions ofthe vent member between the open and closed positions after the tether310 has been pulled taut.

The locking member 250 of FIGS. 9A and 9B may also be used to controlthe open position of the vent member. Since the locking member 250prevents movement of the tether 310 in a direction downward, as viewedin FIG. 9B, the operation of the locking member 250 and an amount ofslack present in a portion of the tether 310 between the locking memberand the vent member control the open position of the vent member andprevent opening of the vent member beyond the specified open position.For example, if it is desired for the open position of the vent memberto be at a fifty degree angle relative to the support member 260, theportion of the tether 310 between the vent member and the locking member250 may have a length such that the portion of the tether becomes tautwhen the vent member reaches the fifty degree angle. Since the lockingmember 250 prevents the length of the portion of the tether 310 betweenthe vent member and the locking member 250 from increasing, the lockingmember 250 and the tether 310 prevent the vent member from openingbeyond the specified open position, e.g., fifty degrees.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a third alternative locking member 320. Thelocking member 320 of FIGS. 10A and 10B may be used with either the airbag module 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8.

The locking member 320 of FIGS. 10A and 10B includes a guide portion 322and a lock portion 324. The guide portion 322 is a generally planar,rectangular plate 326 into which a U-shaped opening 328 (FIG. 10A) isstamped. The ends of the U-shaped opening 328 are illustrated in FIG.10A at 330. Part of the guide portion 322 located between the ends 330of the U-shaped opening 328 is bent out of the plane of the plate 326,as shown in FIG. 10B, to form a guide arm 332. An end 334 of the guidearm 332 extends perpendicular to the plane of the plate 326.

The lock portion 324 of the locking member 320 includes a planar base338 and a resilient locking arm 340 that is bent out of the plane of thebase. An end 342 of the locking arm 340 opposite the base 338 extendsperpendicular to the base. Locking teeth 344 extend outwardly of thelocking arm 340 in a direction parallel to the base 338. As shown inFIG. 10B, the locking teeth 344 include a flat right side surface 346and a tapered left side surface 348. FIG. 10A illustrates the flatsurfaces 346 of the locking teeth 344 as being triangular in shape.

To assemble the locking member 320 of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the base 338 ofthe lock portion 324 is placed on top of the plate 326 of the guideportion 322 so that the teeth 344 of the locking arm 340 terminateadjacent the guide arm 332, as shown in FIG. 10B. The locking member 320is positioned in the air bag module so that the ends 334 and 342 of theguide arm 332 and the locking arm 340, respectively, are nearest theouter panel of the air bag.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a tether 350 extending through the lockingmember 320. The tether 350 may extend straight through the lockingmember 320, as shown by solid lines in FIG. 10B, or may turn whilepassing over the guide arm 332 of the locking member, as shown by dashedlines in FIG. 10B.

The locking member 320 of FIGS. 10A and 10B enables the tether 350 to bemoved rightward, as viewed in FIG. 10B, through the locking member andprevents movement of the tether leftward, as viewed in FIG. 10B, throughthe locking member. When a force acts to pull the tether 350 through thelocking member 320 in a direction leftward, as viewed in FIG. 10B, theteeth 344 of the locking arm 340 grip the tether 350 and the tetherpulls the locking arm and the guide arm 332 together to lock the tetherbetween the lock portion 324 and guide portion 322. When a force acts topull the tether 350 rightward, as viewed in FIG. 10B, through thelocking member, the force causes the locking arm 340 of the lock portion324 to bend away from the guide arm 332 of the guide portion 322 andenables the tether 350 to move over the tapered surfaces 348 of theteeth 344 and through the locking member 320.

The locking member 320 prevents the leftward movement of the tether 350regardless of the position of the tether. Thus, the locking member 320of FIGS. 10A and 10B also may be referred to as being “infinitelyadjustable” as the locking member prevents movement of a vent membertoward the open position at all positions of the vent member between theopen and closed positions.

The locking member 320 of FIGS. 10A and 10B may also be used to controlthe open position of the vent member. Since the locking member 320prevents movement of the tether 350 toward the vent member, theoperation of the locking member 320 and an amount of slack present in aportion of the tether 350 between the locking member and the vent membercontrol the open position of the vent member and prevent opening of thevent member beyond the specified open position.

FIG. 11 illustrates a fourth alternative locking member 370. The lockingmember 370 of FIG. 11 may be used with either the air bag module 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8.

The locking member 370 of FIG. 11 is a one-piece structure that includesa base portion 372, a guide portion 374, and a lock portion 376. Thelocking member 370 is preferably formed from steel and is resilient.

The base portion 372 of the locking member 370 is generally planar. Theguide portion 374 extends upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 11, from a firstend of the base portion 372 at an angle of approximately ninety degreesrelative to the base portion. An end 378 of the guide portion 374opposite the base portion 372 is angled at an angle of approximately 120degrees relative to the guide portion and extends over the base portionof the locking member 370. An opening 380 extends through the guideportion 374 at a location spaced slightly below, as viewed in FIG. 11,the angled end 378 of the guide portion.

The lock portion 376 of the locking member 370 is planar and extendsupwardly from a second end of the base portion 372 at an angle ofapproximately sixty degrees relative to the base portion. An end 382 ofthe lock portion 376 terminates adjacent the angled end 378 of the guideportion 374.

A tether 386 extends through the opening 380 of the guide portion 374 ofthe locking member 370 and passes between the end 382 of the lockportion 376 and the angled end 378 of the guide portion. The lockingmember 370 of FIG. 11 enables the tether 386 to be moved leftward, asviewed in FIG. 11, through the locking member and prevents movement ofthe tether rightward, as viewed in FIG. 11, through the locking member.When a force acts to pull the tether 386 through the locking member 370in a direction rightward, as viewed in FIG. 11, through the lockingmember, the tether 386 pulls the lock portion 376 against the guideportion 374 to lock the tether between the lock portion and guideportion. When a force acts to pull the tether 386 leftward, as viewed inFIG. 11, through the locking member 370, the force causes the lockportion 376 to bend leftward, as viewed in FIG. 11, and away from theguide portion 374 to enable the tether to move through the lockingmember 370.

The locking member 370 prevents the rightward movement of the tether 386regardless of the position of the tether. Thus, the locking member 370of FIG. 11 also may be referred to as being “infinitely adjustable” asthe locking member prevents movement of a vent member toward the openposition at all positions of the vent member between the open and closedpositions.

The locking member 370 of FIG. 11 may also be used to control the openposition of the vent member. Since the locking member 370 preventsmovement of the tether 386 toward the vent member, the operation of thelocking member 370 and an amount of slack present in a portion of thetether 386 between the locking member and the vent member control theopen position of the vent member and prevent opening of the vent memberbeyond the specified open position.

FIG. 12 illustrates a fifth alternative locking member 402. The lockingmember 402 of FIG. 12 may be used with either the air bag module 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8. The locking member 402of FIG. 12 is similar to the locking member 320 described with referenceto FIGS. 10A and 10B.

The locking member 402 of FIG. 12 includes a guide portion 404 and alock portion 406. The guide portion 404 includes a generally planar base408 and a generally planar guide arm 410 that extends in a directionperpendicular to an end of the base.

The lock portion 406 of the locking member 402 is formed from aresilient material and includes a generally planar base 412 and agenerally planar locking arm 414 that extends in a directionperpendicular to an end of the base. Locking teeth 416 extend outwardlyof the locking arm 414 in a direction parallel to the base 412. As shownin FIG. 12, the locking teeth 416 include a flat right side surface 418and a tapered left side surface 420.

To assemble the locking member 402 of FIG. 12, the base 412 of the lockportion 406 is placed adjacent the base 408 of the guide portion 404 sothat the locking arm 414 and the guide arm 410 are adjacent one another.The locking member 402 of FIG. 12 is positioned in the air bag module sothat the locking arm 414 and the guide arm 410 are nearer the outerpanel of the air bag as compared to the base portions 408 and 412.

FIG. 12 illustrates a tether 426 extending through the locking member402. The tether 426 may extend straight through the locking member 402,as shown by solid lines in FIG. 12, or may turn while passing over theguide portion 404 of the locking member 402, as shown by dashed lines inFIG. 12. The locking member 402 of FIG. 12 enables the tether 426 to bemoved rightward, as viewed in FIG. 12, through the locking member andprevents movement of the tether leftward, as viewed in FIG. 12, throughthe locking member. When a force acts to pull the tether 426 through thelocking member 402 in a direction leftward, as viewed in FIG. 12, theteeth 416 of the locking arm 414 grip the tether 426 and the tetherpulls the locking arm and the guide arm 410 together to lock the tetherbetween the lock portion 406 and guide portion 404. When a force acts topull the tether 426 in a direction rightward, as viewed in FIG. 12, thelocking arm 414 flexes away from the guide arm 410 and tether 426 slidesover the tapered surfaces 420 of the teeth 416 and through the lockingmember 402.

The locking member 402 prevents the leftward movement of the tether 426regardless of the position of the tether. Thus, the locking member 402of FIG. 12 also may be referred to as being “infinitely adjustable” asthe locking member prevents movement of a vent member toward the openposition at all positions of the vent member between the open and closedpositions.

The locking member 402 of FIG. 12 may also be used to control the openposition of the vent member. Since the locking member 402 preventsmovement of the tether 426 toward the vent member, the operation of thelocking member 402 and an amount of slack present in a portion of thetether 426 between the locking member and the vent member control theopen position of the vent member and prevent opening of the vent memberbeyond the specified open position.

FIG. 13 illustrates a sixth alternative locking member 440. The lockingmember 440 of FIG. 13 may be used with either the air bag module 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8. The locking member 440of FIG. 13 includes a guide portion 442 and a lock portion 444. Theguide portion 442 includes a generally planar base 446 and a generallyplanar guide arm 448 that extends upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 13, froman end of the base.

The lock portion 444 of the locking member 440 includes a piston 450, acylinder 452, and a biasing member, such as a spring 454. The cylinder452 includes a channel 456 that is open at one end and closed at theother end. The piston 450 is cylindrical and, as viewed in FIG. 13,includes a right side end wall 458 and a left side end wall 460. Aplurality of locking teeth 462 extends outwardly of the right side endwall 458 of the piston 450. As shown in FIG. 13, the locking teeth 462include a flat upper surface 464 and a tapered lower surface 466. Anannular groove 468 extends into the left side end wall 460 of the piston450. The annular groove 468 forms a circular plunger portion 470 of thepiston 450 that is sized to be received in the open end of the channel456 of the cylinder 452.

To assemble the locking member 440 of FIGS. 13, the spring 454 isinserted into the channel 456 of the cylinder 452. The plunger portion470 of the piston 450 is inserted into the cylinder 452 so that thespring 454 acts on the piston to force the piston out of the channel456. The guide portion 442 of the locking member 440 is fixed relativeto the right side end wall 458 of the piston 450 so that the spring 454biases the teeth 462 of the piston against the guide arm 448 of theguide portion of the locking member.

FIG. 13 illustrates a tether 476 extending upwardly through the lockingmember 440. The tether 476 may extend straight through the lockingmember 440, as shown by solid lines in FIG. 13, or may turn whilepassing over the guide portion 442 of the locking member 440, as shownby dashed lines in FIG. 13. The locking member 440 of FIG. 13 enablesthe tether 476 to be moved upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 13, through thelocking member and prevents movement of the tether downwardly, as viewedin FIG. 13, through the locking member. When a force acts to pull thetether 476 through the locking member in a direction downward, as viewedin FIG. 13, the teeth 462 of the locking portion 444 grip the tether 476to prevent the tether from moving downwardly between the piston 450 andthe guide arm 448. When a force acts to pull the tether 476 in adirection upward, as viewed in FIG. 13, the tether 476 slides over thetapered lower surfaces 466 of the teeth 462 and acts to move the piston450 leftward, as viewed in FIG. 13, against the bias of the spring 454and away from the guide arm 448. As a result, the tether 476 may bemoved upwardly through the locking member 440.

The locking member 440 prevents the downward movement of the tether 476regardless of the position of the tether. Thus, the locking member 440of FIGS. 13 also may be referred to as being “infinitely adjustable” asthe locking member prevents movement of a vent member toward the openposition at all positions of the vent member between the open and closedpositions.

The locking member 440 of FIG. 13 may also be used to control the openposition of the vent member. Since the locking member 440 preventsmovement of the tether 476 toward the vent member, the operation of thelocking member 440 and an amount of slack present in a portion of thetether 476 between the locking member and the vent member control theopen position of the vent member and prevent opening of the vent memberbeyond the specified open position.

FIG. 14 illustrates a seventh alternative locking member 440 a. Thelocking member 440 a of FIG. 14 may be used with either the air bagmodule 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8. Thelocking member 440 a of FIG. 14 is similar to the locking member 440 ofFIG. 13. Therefore, the same reference number with the addition of thesuffix “a” is used to represent the same or similar structures of thelocking member of 440 a FIG. 14 as was used with the locking member 440of FIG. 13.

The locking member 440 a of FIG. 14 is the same as the locking member440 of FIG. 13 with the exception that the cylinder 452 a and spring 454a of FIG. 13 have been replaced in FIG. 14 by a conduit 480 that extendsfrom the inflator 482. The conduit 482 includes a flanged end 484 forfixing the conduit to the inflator 482 so that the channel 486 of theconduit is in fluid communication with an exhaust port 488 of theinflator. Inflation gases entering the conduit 482, force the piston 450a rightward, as viewed in FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 illustrates a tether 476 a extending upwardly through thelocking member 440 a. The tether 476 a may extend straight through thelocking member 440 a, as shown by solid lines in FIG. 14, or may turnwhile passing over the guide arm 448 a of the locking member 440 a, asshown by dashed lines in FIG. 14. The locking member 440 a of FIG. 14enables the tether 476 a to be moved upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 14,through the locking member and prevents movement of the tetherdownwardly, as viewed in FIG. 14, through the locking member.

When a force acts to pull the tether 476 a through the locking member440 a in a direction downward, as viewed in FIG. 14, the teeth 462 a ofthe locking portion 444 a grip the tether 476 a to prevent the tetherfrom moving downwardly between the piston 450 a and the guide arm 448 a.The force of the inflation fluid acting on the piston 450 a resists theleftward movement, as viewed in FIG. 14, of the piston 450 a and thetether 476 a is prevented from moving downwardly through the lockingmember 440 a. When a force acts to pull the tether 476 a in a directionupward, as viewed in FIG. 14, the tether 476 a slides over the taperedlower surfaces 466 a of the teeth 462 a. As a result, the tether 476 amay be moved upwardly through the locking member 440 a.

The locking member 440 a prevents the downward movement of the tether476 a regardless of the position of the tether. Thus, the locking member440 a of FIG. 14 also may be referred to as being “infinitelyadjustable” as the locking member prevents movement of a vent membertoward the open position at all positions of the vent member between theopen and closed positions.

The locking member 440 a of FIG. 14 may also be used to control the openposition of the vent member. Since the locking member 440 a preventsmovement of the tether 476 a toward the vent member 440 a, the operationof the locking member and an amount of slack present in a portion of thetether 476 a between the locking member and the vent member control theopen position of the vent member and prevent opening of the vent memberbeyond the specified open position.

FIG. 15 illustrates an eighth alternative locking member 502. Thelocking member 502 of FIG. 15 may be used with either the air bag module10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8.

The locking member 502 of FIG. 15 includes a guide portion 504 and alock portion 506. The guide portion 504 includes a generally planar base508 and a generally planar guide arm 510 that extends upwardly, asviewed in FIG. 15, from an end of the base.

The lock portion 506 of the locking member 502 includes a roller 512 anda support arm 514. The support arm 514 is fixed to the guide arm 510 ofthe guide portion 504 of the locking member 502 and extends outwardlyfrom the guide arm on a side opposite the base 508. The support arm 514extends at an angle of approximately 75 degrees relative to the guidearm 510.

The roller 512 is generally cylindrical and includes a toothed outersurface 516. An axle 518 extends through the roller 512 in a locationspaced from the center of the roller, indicated with the + (plus sign)on the roller. The support arm 514 supports the axle 518.

FIG. 15 illustrates a tether 524 extending upwardly through the lockingmember 502. The tether 524 may extend straight through the lockingmember 502, as shown by solid lines in FIG. 15, or may turn whilepassing over the guide portion 504 of the locking member 502, as shownby dashed lines in FIG. 15. When the roller 512 is positioned as shownin FIG. 15, the locking member 502 enables the tether 524 to be movedupwardly, as viewed in FIG. 15, through the locking member and preventsmovement of the tether downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 15, through thelocking member.

When a force acts to pull the tether 524 through the locking member in adirection downward, as viewed in FIG. 15, the toothed outer surface 516of the roller 512 grips the tether and the tether pulls the roller in aclockwise direction about the axle 518. As a result, the tether 524 isclamped between the roller 512 and the guide arm 510 of the guideportion 504 and is prevented from moving downwardly. When a force actsto pull the tether 524 upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 15, the tether 524pulls the roller 512 in a counterclockwise direction. When the roller512 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, a space between theroller and the guide arm 510 increases and enables the tether 524 tomove upwardly through the locking member 502.

FIG. 16 illustrates a ninth alternative locking member 530. The lockingmember 530 of FIG. 16 may be used with either the air bag module 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8.

The locking member 530 of FIG. 16 includes a guide portion 532 and alock portion 534. The guide portion 532 includes a generally planar base536 and a generally planar guide arm 538 that extends upwardly, asviewed in FIG. 16, from an end of the base.

The lock portion 534 of the locking member 530 includes a support arm540 and a cam member 542. The cam member 542 includes a toothed surface544 that is located adjacent the guide arm 538 of the guide portion 532.A pivot 546 rotatably connects the cam member 542 and the support arm540. A spiral spring (not shown) biases the cam member 542 for rotationin a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 16, about the pivot 546.

FIG. 16 illustrates a tether 550 extending upwardly through the lockingmember 530. The tether 550 may extend straight through the lockingmember 530, as shown by solid lines in FIG. 16, or may turn whilepassing over the guide portion 532 of the locking member 530, as shownby dashed lines in FIG. 16. The locking member 530 enables the tether550 to be moved upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 16, through the lockingmember and prevents movement of the tether downwardly, as viewed in FIG.16, through the locking member.

When a force acts to pull the tether 550 through the locking member in adirection downward, as viewed in FIG. 16, the toothed surface 544 of thecam member 542 grips the tether 550 and the tether pulls the cam memberin a clockwise direction about the pivot 546. As a result, the tether550 is clamped between the cam member 542 and the guide arm 538 of theguide portion 532 and is prevented from moving downwardly. When a forceacts to pull the tether 550 upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 16, the tether550 pulls the cam member 542 in a counterclockwise direction and the cammember rotates away from the guide arm 538 of the guide portion 532 toenable the tether to move upwardly through the locking member 530.

The locking member 530 prevents the downward movement of the tether 550regardless of the position of the tether. Thus, the locking member 530of FIG. 16 also may be referred to as being “infinitely adjustable” asthe locking member prevents movement of a vent member toward the openposition at all positions of the vent member between the open and closedpositions.

The locking member 530 of FIG. 16 may also be used to control the openposition of the vent member. Since the locking member 530 preventsmovement of the tether 550 toward the vent member, the operation of thelocking member 530 and an amount of slack present in a portion of thetether 550 between the locking member and the vent member control theopen position of the vent member and prevent opening of the vent memberbeyond the specified open position.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a tenth alternative locking member 560. Thelocking member 560 of FIGS. 17A and 17B may be used with either the airbag module 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8.

The locking member 560 of FIGS. 17A and 17B includes a guide portion 562and a lock portion 564. The guide portion 562 is a parallelepiped havinga toothed upper surface 566. The lock portion 564 is a parallelepipedhaving a toothed lower surface 568.

A toggle linkage 570, shown by dashed lines in FIGS. 17A and 17B,connects the guide portion 562 and the lock portion 564. The togglelinkage 570 includes two toggle members. FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrateonly one of the two toggle members at 572. The toggle members 572 arelocated on opposite sides of the locking member 560. Each toggle member572 is elongated and includes lower and upper ends 576 and 578,respectively. The lower end 576 of each toggle member 572 is pivotallyattached to the guide portion 562 and the upper end 578 of each togglemember is pivotally attached to the lock portion 564.

Each toggle member 572 is pivotal relative to the guide portion 562between first and second conditions. In the first condition, illustratedin FIG. 17A, the toggle member 572 extends perpendicular to a plane ofthe toothed upper surface 566 of the guide portion 562. In the secondcondition, illustrated in FIG. 17B, the toggle member 572 extends at anangle of approximately sixty degrees relative to the plane of thetoothed upper surface 566 of the guide portion 562.

Each toggle member 572 also is pivotal relative to the lock portion 564between first and second conditions. In the first condition, illustratedin FIG. 17A, the toggle member 572 extends perpendicular to a plane ofthe toothed lower surface 568 of the lock portion 564. In the secondcondition, illustrated in FIG. 17B, the toggle member 572 extends at anangle of approximately sixty degrees relative to the plane of thetoothed lower surface 568 of the lock portion 564.

The toggle linkage 570 enables the lock portion 564 of the lockingmember 560 to move rightward and downward relative to the guide portion562 from the position shown in FIG. 17A to the position shown in FIG.17B. The locking member 560 of FIGS. 17A and 17B is positioned in theair bag module so that the lock portion 564 moves toward a vent memberwhen the lock portion moves downwardly relative to the guide portion562. Thus, the locking member 560 of FIGS. 17A and 17B is positioned inthe air bag module so that the vent member is to the right of thelocking member, as viewed in FIGS. 17A and 17B.

The tether 584 extends through the locking member 560 between thetoothed upper surface 566 of the guide portion 562 and the toothed lowersurface 568 of the lock portion 564. When extending through the lockingmember 560, the tether 584 is located between the two toggle members572.

The locking member 560 of FIGS. 17A and 17B enables the tether 584 to bemoved in a direction leftward, as viewed in FIGS. 17A and 17B, throughthe locking member and prevents movement of the tether in a directionrightward, as viewed in FIGS. 17A and 17B, through the locking member.When a force acts to pull the tether 584 through the locking member 560in a direction leftward, as viewed in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the lockportion 564 of the locking member 560 remains spaced away from the guideportion 562 and the tether may pass through the space between the lockportion and the guide portion.

When a force acts to pull the tether 584 in a direction rightward, asviewed in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the toothed lower surface 568 of the lockportion 564 grips the tether and the rightward movement of the tethercauses the lock portion to move rightward and downward relative to theguide portion 562 from the position illustrated in FIG. 17A to theposition illustrated in FIG. 17B. When the locking member 564 is in theposition illustrated in FIG. 17B, the tether 584 is clamped between thetoothed lower surface 568 of the lock portion 564 and the toothed uppersurface 566 of the guide portion 562 and is prevented from movingrightward through the locking member 560.

The locking member 560 of FIGS. 17A and 17B prevents movement of thetether 584 in the rightward direction regardless of the position of thetether. Thus, the locking member 560 of FIGS. 17A and 17B also may bereferred to as being “infinitely adjustable” as the locking memberprevents movement of a vent member toward the open position at allpositions of the vent member between the open and closed positions.

The locking member 560 of FIGS. 17A and 17B may also be used to controlthe open position of the vent member. Since the locking member 560prevents movement of the tether 584 toward the vent member, theoperation of the locking member 560 and an amount of slack present in aportion of the tether 584 between the locking member and the vent membercontrol the open position of the vent member and prevent opening of thevent member beyond the specified open position.

FIGS. 18A-D illustrate an eleventh alternative locking member 602. Thelocking member 602 of FIGS. 18A-D may be used with either the air bagmodule 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8.

Unlike the locking members previously discussed, the locking member 602of FIGS. 18A-D acts directly on the vent member to prevent the closingportion of the vent member from moving toward the open position afterthe closing portion of the vent member has been moved from the openposition toward the closed position.

The locking member 602 of FIGS. 18A-D includes three protrusions 604that are formed on an interior surface 606 of the support member 608near a vent opening 610. The three protrusions 604 support a first end614 of an elongated and resilient metal wire 616. FIG. 18A illustratesthe first end 614 of the wire 616 including a curved portion thatpartially wraps around the protrusion 604 farthest from the vent opening610. A second end 618 of the wire 616 extends over the vent opening 610.

The locking member 602 also includes a hook-shaped protrusion 620 thatextends inwardly from an interior surface 622 of the vent member 624. Asviewed in FIG. 18B, the left side 626 of the hook-shaped protrusion 620includes a latching surface 628 that extends parallel to the interiorsurface 622 of the vent member 624. The right side 630 of thehook-shaped protrusion 620 is smooth.

Prior to actuation of the air bag module, the vent member 624 is in theclosed position closing the vent opening 610. The second end 618 of thewire 616 is biased into a position in which the second end engages theright side 630 of the hook-shaped protrusion 620. The resiliency of thewire 616 acts to press the second end 618 against the right side 630 ofthe hook-shaped protrusion 620.

When the air bag module is actuated and the vent member 624 is movedfrom the closed position to the open position, the hook-shapedprotrusion 620 moves out of engagement with the second end 618 of thewire 616. The solid lines of FIG. 18C illustrate the position of thehook-shaped protrusion 620 when the vent member 624 is in the openposition. When the hook-shaped protrusion 620 moves out of engagementwith the second end 618 of the wire 616, the resiliency of the wire 616moves the second end 618 from the position illustrated in FIG. 18B tothe position illustrated in FIG. 18C.

As the vent member 624 is moved from the open position, shown in FIG.18B, back toward the closed position, the hook-shaped protrusion 620engages the second end 618 of the wire 616, as shown by dashed lines inFIG. 18C, and presses the second end leftward, as viewed in FIG. 18C.Further movement of the vent member 624 toward the closed positioncauses the second end 618 of the wire 616 to snap over the latchingsurface 628 of the left side 626 of the hook-shaped protrusion 620 andinto the position illustrated in FIG. 18D. When the second end 618 ofthe wire 616 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 18D, the vent member624 is prevented from moving toward the open position.

Since the locking member 602 of FIGS. 18A-18D locks the vent member 624in only one position relative to the support member 608, the lockingmember 602 is referred to as a single position locking member. FIG. 18Eillustrates a hook-shaped protrusion 634 that may be used with thelocking member 602 of FIGS. 18A-D for providing multiple positionlocking for the vent member 624.

The left side 636 of the hook-shaped protrusion 634 of FIG. 18E includesfirst, second, and third latching surfaces 638, 640, and 642,respectively. The hook-shaped protrusion 634 may include a number oflatching surfaces other than three. The first latching surface 638 islocated farthest from the vent member 624 and the third latching surface642 is located nearest the vent member.

The hook-shaped protrusion 634 of FIG. 18E is designed so that thesecond end 618 of the wire 616 of FIG. 18A engages the first latchingsurface 638 when the vent member 624 is at a first position between theopen and closed positions of the vent member. The second end 618 of thewire 616 engages the second latching surface 640 when the vent member624 at a second position between the open and closed positions of thevent member. The vent member 624 is closer to the closed position at thesecond position than at the first position. The second end 618 of thewire 616 engages the third latching surface 642 when the vent member 624reaches the closed position.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate a twelfth alternative locking member 652.The locking member 652 of FIGS. 19A and 19B may be used with either theair bag module 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8.Like the locking member 602 of FIGS. 18A-18E, the locking member 652 ofFIGS. 19A and 19B acts directly on the vent member 654 to prevent theclosing portion 656 of the vent member from moving toward the openposition after the closing portion of the vent member has been movedfrom the open position toward the closed position.

When the locking member 652 of FIGS. 19A and 19B is used with the airbag module 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8, thevent member 654 must be in the open position prior to actuation of theair bag module.

The locking member 652 of FIGS. 19A and 19B include a ratchet member 658that extends outwardly from an exterior surface 660 of the supportmember 662. The ratchet member 658 is arced and includes a toothed innersurface 664. The toothed inner surface 664 illustrated in FIGS. 19A and19B includes first, second, and third teeth 668, 670, and 672,respectively. Each of the first, second, and third teeth 668, 670, and672 includes a tapered upper surface 674 and a flat lower surface 676,as viewed in FIGS. 19A and 19B.

The ratchet member 658 is located immediately adjacent the vent opening678. An upper end 680 of the ratchet member 658 extends over the ventopening 678. The arc of the ratchet member 658 is designed to follow themovement of the closing portion 656 of the vent member 654. As shown inFIGS. 19A and 19B, the arc of the ratchet member 658 parallels a pathtraveled by the closing portion 656 of the vent member 654 duringmovement from the open position toward the closed position.

Prior to actuation of the air bag module, the vent member 654 is in theopen position, as shown by FIG. 19A. When in the open position, a lowersurface 682 of the vent member 654 rests upon the tapered upper surface674 of the first tooth 668 of the ratchet member 658.

After actuation of the air bag module and inflation of the air bagbeyond the predetermined distance, the vent member 654 moves from theopen position toward the closed position. As the vent member 654 movestoward the closed position, the vent member 654 moves over the taperedupper surface 674 of the first tooth 668. At a first position betweenthe open position and the closed position, the vent member 658 snapsunder the first tooth 668. At the first position, the flat lower surface676 of the first tooth 668 prevents movement of the vent member 654 backtoward the open position.

When inflation of the air bag causes the vent member 654 to continuemoving beyond the first position and toward the closed position, thevent member 654 moves over the tapered upper surface 674 of the secondtooth 670. At a second position between the open position and the closedposition, the vent member 654 snaps under the second tooth 670. At thesecond position, the flat lower surface 676 of the second tooth 670prevents movement of the vent member 654 back toward the open position.

When inflation of the air bag causes the vent member 654 to move backclosed position, the vent member 654 snaps under the third tooth 672. Atthe closed position, the flat lower surface 676 of the third tooth 672prevents movement of the vent member 654 back toward the open position.The locking member 652 of FIGS. 19A and 19B provides multiple positionlocking for the vent member 654.

FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate a thirteenth alternative locking member702. The locking member 702 of FIGS. 20A and 20B may be used with eitherthe air bag module 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS.6-8. The locking member 702 of FIGS. 20A and 20B acts directly on thevent member 704 to prevent the closing portion 706 of the vent memberfrom moving toward the open position after the closing portion of thevent member has been moved from the open position toward the closedposition.

When the locking member 702 of FIGS. 20A and 20B is used with the airbag module 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8, thevent member 704 must be in the open position prior to actuation of theair bag module.

The locking member 702 of FIGS. 20A and 20B includes a base portion 708and a hook portion 710 that extends upwardly from the base portion, asviewed in FIGS. 20A and 20B. The hook portion 710 of the locking member702 includes a support arm 712 that extends perpendicularly from an endof the base portion nearest the vent opening 714. The hook portion 710also includes a lock arm 716 that extends outwardly of the support arm712 on a side opposite the base portion 708. The lock arm 716 is angledrelative to the support arm 712 so that the lock arm extends downwardly,as viewed in FIGS. 20A and 20B, as the lock arm extends away from thesupport arm.

The locking member 702 is formed from a resilient material. The baseportion 708 of the locking member 702 is fixed to an exterior surface718 of the support member 720 at a location adjacent the vent opening714. A portion of the lock arm 716 extends over the vent opening 714 andinto a path traveled by the closing portion 706 of the vent member 704during movement from the open position to the closed position.

During movement of the closing portion 706 of the vent member 704 fromthe open position to the closed position, an end 722 of the vent member704 engages the lock arm 716 of the hook portion 710 of the lockingmember 702. The end 722 of the vent member 704 applies a force againstthe lock arm 716 of the hook portion 710 that tend to move the lock armdownwardly and to the right, as viewed in FIG. 20A. When subjected tothe force from the vent member 704, the lock arm 716 bends downwardlyand the support arm 712 of the hook portion 710 bends to the rightrelative to the base 708.

The bending of the hook portion 710 of the locking member 702 enablesthe end 722 of the vent member 704 to pass by the lock arm 716. Afterthe end 722 of the vent member 704 passes by the lock arm 716, theresiliency of the locking member 702 causes the hook portion 710 toreturn to its original state. When the hook portion 710 returns to itsoriginal state, the lock arm 716 of the hook portion 710 extends overthe end 722 of the vent member 704 and prevents movement of the ventmember toward the open position. Since the locking member 702 of FIGS.20A and 20B locks the vent member 704 in only one position relative tothe support member 720, the locking member 702 is referred to as asingle position locking member.

FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate a fourteenth alternative locking member 702a. The locking member 702 a of FIGS. 21A and 21B may be used with eitherthe air bag module 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS.6-8. The locking member 702 a of FIGS. 21A and 21B acts directly betweenthe vent member 704 a and the support member 720 a to prevent theclosing portion 706 a of the vent member from moving toward the openposition after the closing portion of the vent member has been movedfrom the open position toward the closed position.

When the locking member 702 a of FIGS. 21A and 21B is used with the airbag module 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8, thevent member 704 a must be in the open position prior to actuation of theair bag module.

The locking member 702 a of FIGS. 21A and 21B is identical to thelocking member 702 described above with reference to FIGS. 20A and 20B.Therefore, the locking member 702 a of FIGS. 21A and 21B are labeledwith the same reference numbers as used in FIGS. 20A and 20B with theaddition of the suffix “a”.

The base portion 708 a of the locking member 702 a is fixed to an end722 a of the closing portion 706 a of the vent member 704 a. A portionof the lock arm 716 a extends outwardly from an edge 726 of the end 722a.

During movement of the closing portion 706 a of the vent member 704 afrom the open position to the closed position, the lock arm 716 aengages the exterior surface 718 a of the support member 720 a at alocation adjacent the vent opening 714 a. The engagement between thelock arm 716 a and the exterior surface 718 a bends the lock armupwardly and bends the support arm 712 a of the hook portion 710 a tothe left, as viewed in FIG. 21A.

The bending of the hook portion 710 a of the locking member 702 aenables the lock arm 716 a to pass through the vent opening 714 a. Afterthe lock arm 716 a passes through the vent opening 714 a, the resiliencyof the locking member 702 a causes the hook portion 710 a to return toits original state. When the hook portion 710 a returns to its originalstate, the lock arm 716 a of the hook portion 710 a extends under aninterior surface 728 of the support member 720 a at a location adjacentthe vent opening 714 a and prevents movement of the vent member 704 atoward the open position. Since the locking member 702 a of FIGS. 21Aand 21B locks the vent member 704 a in only one position relative to thesupport member 720 a, the locking member 702 a is referred to as asingle position locking member.

FIGS. 22A-22C illustrate a fifteenth alternative locking member 750. Thelocking member 750 of FIGS. 22A-22C may be used with either the air bagmodule 10 of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8. Thelocking member 750 of FIGS. 22A-22C acts directly on the vent member 752to prevent the closing portion 754 of the vent member from moving towardthe open position after the closing portion of the vent member has beenmoved from the open position toward the closed position.

The locking member 750 of FIGS. 22A-22C includes a pin 756 of the typecommonly referred to as a “Christmas tree pin.” The pin 756 includes ahead portion 758 and a shank portion 760. The head portion 758 of thepin 756 is circular and the shank portion 760 extends outwardly from acenter of the head portion. The shank portion 760 includes an elongatedmain body portion (not shown) and a plurality of tabs 762. The tabs 762extend along the shank portion 760 from an end of the main body portionopposite the head portion 758 to the head portion.

Each tab 762 extends circumferentially around the main body portion ofthe shank portion 760 of the pin 756. Each tab 762 is generally coneshaped and includes a tapered outer surface 764 that extends toward thehead portion 758 of the pin 756 as the tapered outer surface extendsradially outwardly of the main body portion of the shank portion 760.

The pin 756 is molded from a resilient plastic or rubber material. Thetabs 762 are adapted to bend radially inwardly toward the main bodyportion of the shank portion 760 during movement over the tabs in adirection toward the head portion 758 of the pin. The tabs 762 areadapted to resist bending during movement over the tabs in a directionaway from the head portion 758 of the pin 756.

Both the closing portion 754 of the vent member 752 and the supportmember 766 include through-holes 768 and 770, respectively. Thethrough-holes 760 and 770 are coaxial with one another when the ventmember 752 is in the closed position and are sized for receiving theshank portion 760 of the pin 756. The tabs 762 of the shank portion 760of the pin 756 enable movement of the shank portion through thethrough-holes 768 and 770 in a first direction, illustrated by arrow Bin FIG. 22A, and prevent movement of the shank portion through thethrough-holes in a second, opposite direction, illustrated by arrow C inFIG. 22A.

Prior to actuation of the air bag module, the vent member 752 is in theclosed position closing the vent opening 772. The shank portion 760 ofthe pin 756 extends through the through-holes 668 and 670 so that theend of the shank portion opposite the head portion 758 is locatedslightly above, as viewed in FIG. 22A, the upper surface 774 of the ventmember 752 and the head portion is spaced away from an interior surface776 of the support member 766, as shown in FIG. 22A. In the positionillustrated in FIG. 22A, a tab 780 located near the end of the shankportion 760 of the pin 758 engages an upper surface 774 of the ventmember 752.

When the air bag module is actuated and the vent member 752 is movedfrom the closed position to the open position, the tab 780 that engagesthe upper surface 774 of the vent member 752 locks the shank portion 760of the pin 756 for movement with the vent member. The shank portion 760of the pin 756 is moved upwardly from the position illustrated in FIG.22A to the position illustrated in FIG. 22B. During the upward movementof the pin 756, the tabs 762 on the shank portion 760 bend downwardly toenable the shank portion to pass through the through-hole 770 of thesupport member 766. When the vent member 752 is in the open position,the head portion 758 of the pin 756 engages the interior surface 776 ofthe support member 766. Thus, the pin 756 acts to control the openposition of the vent member 752 by preventing movement of the ventmember beyond a specified open position.

When the vent member 752 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 22B,a second tab 782 engages the exterior surface 784 of the support member766 and prevents movement of the pin 756 downwardly, as viewed in FIG.22B, relative to the support member. As the vent member 752 is movedfrom the open position back toward the closed position, the shankportion 760 of the pin 756 passes through the through-hole 768 of thevent member. As the vent member 752 passes over each tab 762 of theshank portion 760 that tab acts to prevent movement of the vent memberback toward the open position.

FIG. 22C illustrates the vent member 752 back in the closed position.When in the closed position, a third tab 786 engages the exteriorsurface 774 of the vent member 752 to prevent movement of the ventmember back toward the open position. Since each tab 762 of the lockingmember 750 of FIGS. 22A-22B prevents movement of the vent member 752back toward the open position, the locking member 750 of FIGS. 22A-22Cprovides multiple position locking for the vent member 752.

As set forth briefly above, the locking member 750 of FIGS. 22A-22C mayalso be used to control the open position of the vent member 752. Sincethe head portion 758 of the pin 756 moves upwardly, as viewed in FIGS.22A-22C into engagement with the interior surface 776 of the supportmember 766, the initial distance of the head portion 758 from theinterior surface 776 may be used for controlling the open position ofthe vent member 752 and for preventing opening of the vent member beyondthe specified open position. For example, if it is desired for the openposition of the vent member 752 to an angle of twenty degrees relativeto the support member 766, the initial distance between the head portion758 of the pin 756 and the interior surface 776 may be chosen so thatthe head portion engages the interior surface when the vent memberreaches the twenty degree angle, as is illustrated in FIG. 22B. Thus,the locking member 750 of FIGS. 22A-22C may also be used to prevent thevent member 752 from opening beyond the specified open position, e.g.,twenty degrees.

Each of the locking members of the present invention acts to block itsassociated vent member from being moved toward the open condition byincreased pressure in the air bag resulting from occupant interactionwith the air bag. By blocking movement of its associated vent membertoward the open condition, the locking member helps to maintain pressurein the air bag and reduces a possibility of the inflation fluid pressurebeing uncontrollably reduced.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the artwill perceive improvements, changes and modifications. For example, anyof the locking members described may be used with the air bag module 10of FIGS. 1-3 or the air bag module 130 of FIGS. 6-8. Such improvements,changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to becovered by the appended claims.

1. A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising: an inflatableoccupant protection device; a support member having a vent openingthrough which inflation fluid may flow; a mechanism for controlling aflow of inflation fluid through the vent opening, inflation fluidpressure within the inflatable occupant protection device tending tomove the mechanism for increasing a flow of inflation fluid through thevent opening, the mechanism being responsive to inflation of theinflatable occupant protection device beyond a predetermined distancefor restricting the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening;and a locking member for blocking the mechanism from increasing the flowof inflation fluid through the vent opening after the inflatableoccupant protection device has inflated beyond the predetermineddistance.
 2. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 1wherein the support member includes multiple vent openings, multiplemechanisms, and multiple locking members, each one of the multiple ventopenings having an associated one of the multiple mechanisms and anassociated one of the multiple locking members.
 3. The vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mechanism includes a ventmember that is movable relative to the support member, the lockingmember being configured to block the vent member at multiple positionsof the vent member relative to the support member.
 4. The vehicleoccupant protection apparatus of claim 3 wherein the locking member isconfigured to block the vent member at all positions of the vent memberrelative to the support member.
 5. The vehicle occupant protectionapparatus of claim 1 wherein the mechanism includes a vent member thatis movable relative to the support member from an open position toward aclosed position for restricting the flow of inflation fluid through thevent opening, the vent member initially being in the open position, thelocking member preventing movement of the vent member toward the openposition after the vent member has been moved from the open positiontoward the closed position.
 6. The vehicle occupant protection apparatusof claim 1 wherein the mechanism includes a vent member that is movablerelative to the support member from an open position toward a closedposition for restricting the flow of inflation fluid through the ventopening, the locking member allowing movement of the vent member fromthe closed position to the open position upon initial inflation of theinflatable occupant protection device and preventing movement of thevent member toward the open position after the vent member has beenmoved from the open position toward the closed position.
 7. The vehicleoccupant protection apparatus of claim 6 wherein the locking memberprevents movement of the vent member beyond the open position uponinitial inflation of the inflatable occupant protection device.
 8. Thevehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mechanismincludes a vent member that is movable relative to the support memberand a tether for moving the vent member in response to inflation of theinflatable occupant protection device beyond the predetermined distance,the locking member acting on at least one of the vent member and thetether for preventing movement of the vent member that would increasethe flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening.
 9. The vehicleoccupant protection apparatus of claim 8 wherein the tether passesthrough the locking member, the locking member acting on the tether forpreventing movement of the vent member that would increase the flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening, the locking member enablingmovement of the tether relative to the locking member for restrictingthe flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening.
 10. The vehicleoccupant protection apparatus of claim 9 wherein the locking memberincludes a guide portion and a lock portion, the guide portion and thelock portion being located in close proximity to one another, the lockportion moving away from the guide portion for enabling movement of thetether through the locking member in a first direction for restrictingthe flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening, the lock portionmoving toward the guide portion for preventing movement of the tetherthrough the locking member in a second direction that would increase theflow of inflation fluid through the vent opening.
 11. The vehicleoccupant protection apparatus of claim 10 wherein the locking memberincludes a plurality of teeth, the plurality of teeth being configuredto enable movement of the tether through the locking member in the firstdirection and preventing movement of the tether through the lockingmember in the second direction, the plurality of teeth being located onone of the lock portion and the guide portion of the locking member. 12.The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 11 wherein the lockportion is formed from a resilient material and bends away from theguide portion during movement of the tether through the locking memberin the first direction, the lock portion bending toward the guideportion to prevent movement of the tether through the locking member inthe second direction.
 13. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein an end of the lock portion adjacent the guide portionincludes teeth that are adapted for engaging the tether and forpreventing movement of the tether through the locking member in thesecond direction.
 14. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim10 wherein a biasing element acts on the lock portion to bias the lockportion toward the guide portion for clamping the tether in the lockingmember.
 15. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 14wherein the tether is oriented relative to the lock portion such thatthe tether tends to move the lock portion against a bias of the biasingelement during movement of the tether through the locking member in thefirst direction.
 16. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim10 wherein the lock portion of the locking member includes teeth overwhich the tether may move during movement of the tether through thelocking member in the first direction, the teeth engaging the tether toprevent movement of the tether through the locking member in the seconddirection.
 17. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 10wherein a toggle mechanism attaches the lock portion to the guideportion, the toggle mechanism being pivotally connected to the lockportion and to the guide portion and enabling the lock portion to bemoved from a first condition in which the lock portion is spaced apartfrom the guide portion to a second condition in which the lock portionis moved nearer to the guide portion for clamping the tether in thelocking member.
 18. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim10 wherein the lock portion of the locking member includes a stationaryportion and a movable portion that is movable relative to the stationaryportion for engaging the tether and for clamping the tether against theguide portion of the locking member.
 19. The vehicle occupant protectionapparatus of claim 18 wherein the stationary portion of the lock portionincludes a cylinder, the movable portion of the lock portion includes apiston and wherein the locking member further includes a biasing elementacting between the cylinder and piston for biasing the piston intoengagement with the tether.
 20. The vehicle occupant protectionapparatus of claim 18 wherein the stationary portion of the lock portionincludes a conduit, and the movable portion of the lock portion includesa piston, the conduit being adapted to direct inflation fluid against asurface of the piston for forcing the piston into engagement with thetether.
 21. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 18wherein the stationary portion of the lock portion includes a supportarm, and the movable portion of the lock portion includes a roller thatis rotatable relative to the support arm, an axis of rotation of theroller being spaced away from a center of the roller so that a distancebetween an outer surface of the roller and the guide portion of thelocking member changes during rotation of the roller.
 22. The vehicleoccupant protection apparatus of claim 18 wherein the stationary portionof the lock portion includes a support arm, and the movable portion ofthe lock portion includes a cam member that is pivotal relative to thesupport arm.
 23. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 8wherein the vent member includes a hook-shaped protrusion having alatching surface, the locking member including a resilient wire thatengages the latching surface to prevent movement of the vent member thatwould increase the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening. 24.The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 8 wherein the lockingmember includes a ratchet member having multiple latching surfaces, eachof the latching surfaces being configured for engaging the vent memberto prevent movement of the vent member that would increase the flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening.
 25. The vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of claim 8 wherein the locking device includes apin having a plurality of tabs, the pin extending through a hole in thevent member, the tabs acting on a surface of the vent member forpreventing movement of the vent member that would increase the flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening, the tabs enabling movement ofthe vent member relative to the pin for restricting the flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening.
 26. A vehicle occupantprotection apparatus comprising: an inflatable occupant protectiondevice; a support member having a vent opening through which inflationfluid may flow; means for controlling a flow of inflation fluid throughthe vent opening for (i) reducing a force that is applied by theinflatable occupant protection device to an occupant prior to theinflatable occupant protection device inflating to a predetermineddistance and (ii) helping to maintain pressure within the inflatableoccupant protection device after the inflatable occupant protectiondevice has inflated beyond the predetermined distance, inflation fluidpressure within the inflatable occupant protection device tending tomove the means for controlling for increasing a flow of inflation fluidthrough the vent opening.
 27. The vehicle occupant protection apparatusof claim 26 wherein said means includes a movable mechanism forcontrolling the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening and alocking member for blocking the mechanism from increasing a flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening.
 28. The vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of claim 27 wherein the mechanism includes a ventmember that is movable relative to the support member, the lockingmember being configured to block movement of the vent member at multiplepositions of the vent member relative to the support member.
 29. Thevehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 28 wherein the lockingmember is configured to block movement of the vent member at allpositions of the vent member relative to the support member.
 30. Thevehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 27 wherein the mechanismincludes a vent member that is movable relative to the support memberfrom an open position toward a closed position for restricting the flowof inflation fluid through the vent opening, the locking member allowingmovement of the vent member from the closed position to the openposition upon initial inflation of the inflatable occupant protectiondevice and preventing movement of the vent member toward the openposition after the vent member has been moved from the open positiontoward the closed position.
 31. The vehicle occupant protectionapparatus of claim 30 wherein the locking member prevents movement ofthe vent member beyond the open position upon initial inflation of theinflatable occupant protection device.
 32. The vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of claim 27 wherein the mechanism includes a ventmember that is movable relative to the support member and a tether formoving the vent member in response to inflation of the inflatableoccupant protection device beyond the predetermined distance, thelocking member acting on at least one of the vent member and the tetherfor preventing movement of the vent member that would increase the flowof inflation fluid through the vent opening.
 33. The vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of claim 32 wherein the tether passes through thelocking member, the locking member acting on the tether for preventingmovement of the vent member that would increase the flow of inflationfluid through the vent opening, the locking member enabling movement ofthe tether relative to the locking member for restricting the flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening.
 34. The vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of claim 33 wherein the locking member includes aguide portion and a lock portion, the guide portion and the lock portionbeing located in close proximity to one another, the lock portion movingaway from the guide portion for enabling movement of the tether throughthe locking member in a first direction for restricting the flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening, the lock portion moving towardthe guide portion for preventing movement of the tether through thelocking member in a second direction that would increase the flow ofinflation fluid through the vent opening.
 35. The vehicle occupantprotection apparatus of claim 34 wherein the lock portion is formed froma resilient material and bends away from the guide portion duringmovement of the tether through the locking member in the firstdirection, the lock portion bending toward the guide portion to preventmovement of the tether through the locking member in the seconddirection.
 36. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 35wherein an end of the lock portion adjacent the guide portion includesteeth that are adapted for engaging the tether and for preventingmovement of the tether through the locking member in the seconddirection.
 37. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 34wherein a biasing element acts on the lock portion to bias the lockportion toward the guide portion for clamping the tether in the lockingmember.
 38. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 37wherein the tether is oriented relative to the lock portion such thatthe tether tends to move the lock portion against a bias of the biasingelement during movement of the tether through the locking member in thefirst direction.
 39. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim34 wherein the lock portion of the locking member includes teeth overwhich the tether may move during movement of the tether through thelocking member in the first direction, the teeth engaging the tether toprevent movement of the tether through the locking member in the seconddirection.
 40. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 34wherein a toggle mechanism attaches the lock portion to the guideportion, the toggle mechanism being pivotally connected to the lockportion and to the guide portion and enabling the lock portion to bemoved from a first condition in which the lock portion is spaced apartfrom the guide portion to a second condition in which the lock portionis moved nearer to the guide portion for clamping the tether in thelocking member.
 41. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim34 wherein the lock portion of the locking member includes a stationaryportion and a movable portion that is movable relative to the stationaryportion for engaging the tether and for clamping the tether against theguide portion of the locking member.
 42. The vehicle occupant protectionapparatus of claim 41 wherein the stationary portion of the lock portionincludes a cylinder, the movable portion of the lock portion includes apiston, and wherein the locking member further includes a biasingelement acting between the cylinder and piston for biasing the pistoninto engagement with the tether.
 43. The vehicle occupant protectionapparatus of claim 41 wherein the stationary portion of the lock portionincludes a conduit, and the movable portion of the lock portion includesa piston, the conduit being adapted to direct inflation fluid against asurface of the piston for forcing the piston into engagement with thetether.
 44. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 41wherein the stationary portion of the lock portion includes a supportarm, and the movable portion of the lock portion includes a roller thatis rotatable relative to the support arm, an axis of rotation of theroller being spaced away from a center of the roller so that a distancebetween an outer surface of the roller and the guide portion of thelocking member changes during rotation of the roller.
 45. The vehicleoccupant protection apparatus of claim 41 wherein the stationary portionof the lock portion includes a support arm, and the movable portion ofthe lock portion includes a cam member that is pivotal relative to thesupport arm.
 46. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 32wherein the vent member includes a hook-shaped protrusion having alatching surface, the locking member including a resilient wire thatengages the latching surface to prevent movement of the vent member thatwould increase the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening. 47.The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 32 wherein thelocking member includes a ratchet member having multiple latchingsurfaces, each of the latching surfaces being configured for engagingthe vent member to prevent movement of the vent member that wouldincrease the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening.
 48. Thevehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 32 wherein the lockingdevice includes a pin having a plurality of tabs, the pin extendingthrough a hole in the vent member, the tabs acting on a surface of thevent member for preventing movement of the vent member that wouldincrease the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening, the tabsenabling movement of the vent member relative to the pin for restrictingthe flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening.
 49. A vehicleoccupant protection apparatus comprising: an inflatable occupantprotection device; a support member having a vent opening through whichinflation fluid may flow; a vent member movable relative to the supportmember from an open position toward a closed position for restrictingfluid flow through the vent opening; a mechanism responsive to inflationof the inflatable occupant protection device beyond a predetermineddistance for moving the vent member away from the open position andtoward the closed position; and a locking member for locking the ventmember against movement toward the open position after the vent memberhas been moved away from the open position and toward the closedposition.
 50. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 49wherein the locking member includes a guide member with sides that guidethe mechanism during movement of the mechanism for moving the ventmember toward the closed position.
 51. The vehicle occupant protectionapparatus of claim 49 wherein the locking member is configured to lockthe vent member at multiple positions located along a path traveled bythe vent member between the open position and the closed position. 52.The vehicle occupant protection apparatus of claim 49 wherein thelocking member is configured to lock the vent member at all positionslocated along a path traveled by the vent member between the openposition and the closed position.